mirror of
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## Overview
This commit represents a complete overhaul of the BMAD agent creation system, establishing clear standards for agent development, installation workflows, and persona design. The changes span documentation, tooling, reference implementations, and field-specific guidance.
## Key Components
### 1. Agent Installation Infrastructure
**New CLI Command: `agent-install`**
- Interactive agent installation with persona customization
- Supports Simple (single YAML), Expert (sidecar files), and Module agents
- Template variable processing with Handlebars-style syntax
- Automatic compilation from YAML to XML (.md) format
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, etc.)
- Source preservation in `_cfg/custom/agents/` for reinstallation
**Files Created:**
- `tools/cli/commands/agent-install.js` - Main CLI command
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/compiler.js` - YAML to XML compilation engine
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/installer.js` - Installation orchestration
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/template-engine.js` - Handlebars template processing
**Compiler Features:**
- Auto-injects frontmatter, activation, handlers, help/exit menu items
- Smart handler inclusion (only includes action/workflow/exec/tmpl handlers actually used)
- Proper XML escaping and formatting
- Persona name customization (e.g., "Fred the Commit Poet")
### 2. Documentation Overhaul
**Deleted Bloated/Outdated Docs (2,651 lines removed):**
- Old verbose architecture docs
- Redundant pattern files
- Outdated workflow guides
**Created Focused, Type-Specific Docs:**
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/understanding-agent-types.md` - Architecture vs capability distinction
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/simple-agent-architecture.md` - Self-contained agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/expert-agent-architecture.md` - Agents with sidecar files
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/module-agent-architecture.md` - Workflow-integrated agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-compilation.md` - YAML → XML process
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-menu-patterns.md` - Menu design patterns
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/index.md` - Documentation hub
**Net Result:** ~1,930 line reduction while adding MORE value through focused content
### 3. Create-Agent Workflow Enhancements
**Critical Persona Field Guidance Added to Step 4:**
Explains how the LLM interprets each persona field when the agent activates:
- **role** → "What knowledge, skills, and capabilities do I possess?"
- **identity** → "What background, experience, and context shape my responses?"
- **communication_style** → "What verbal patterns, word choice, quirks, and phrasing do I use?"
- **principles** → "What beliefs and operating philosophy drive my choices?"
**Key Insight:** `communication_style` should ONLY describe HOW the agent talks, not restate role/identity/principles. The `communication-presets.csv` provides 60 pure communication styles with NO role/identity/principles mixed in.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/instructions.md` - Added persona field interpretation guide
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/brainstorm-context.md` - Refined to 137 lines
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/communication-presets.csv` - 60 styles across 13 categories
### 4. Reference Agent Cleanup
**Removed install_config Personality Bloat:**
Understanding: Future installer will handle personality customization, so stripped all personality toggles from reference agents.
**commit-poet.agent.yaml** (Simple Agent):
- BEFORE: 36 personality combinations (3 enthusiasm × 3 depths × 4 styles) = decision fatigue
- AFTER: Single concise persona with pure communication style
- Changed from verbose conditionals to: "Poetic drama and flair with every turn of a phrase. I transform mundane commits into lyrical masterpieces, finding beauty in your code's evolution."
- Reduction: 248 lines → 153 lines (38% reduction)
**journal-keeper.agent.yaml** (Expert Agent):
- Stripped install_config, simplified communication_style
- Shows proper Expert agent structure with sidecar files
**security-engineer.agent.yaml & trend-analyst.agent.yaml** (Module Agents):
- Added header comments explaining WHY Module Agent (design intent, not just location)
- Clarified: Module agents are designed FOR ecosystem integration, not capability-limited
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/simple-examples/commit-poet.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/expert-examples/journal-keeper/journal-keeper.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/security-engineer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/trend-analyst.agent.yaml`
### 5. BMM Agent Voice Enhancement
**Gave all 9 BMM agents distinct, memorable communication voices:**
**Mary (analyst)** - The favorite! Changed from generic "systematic and probing" to:
"Treats analysis like a treasure hunt - excited by every clue, thrilled when patterns emerge. Asks questions that spark 'aha!' moments while structuring insights with precision."
**Other Notable Voices:**
- **John (pm):** "Asks 'WHY?' relentlessly like a detective on a case. Direct and data-sharp, cuts through fluff to what actually matters."
- **Winston (architect):** "Speaks in calm, pragmatic tones, balancing 'what could be' with 'what should be.' Champions boring technology that actually works."
- **Amelia (dev):** "Ultra-succinct. Speaks in file paths and AC IDs - every statement citable. No fluff, all precision."
- **Bob (sm):** "Crisp and checklist-driven. Every word has a purpose, every requirement crystal clear. Zero tolerance for ambiguity."
- **Sally (ux-designer):** "Paints pictures with words, telling user stories that make you FEEL the problem. Empathetic advocate with creative storytelling flair."
**Pattern Applied:** Moved behaviors from communication_style to principles, keeping communication_style as PURE verbal patterns.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/analyst.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/pm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/architect.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/dev.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/sm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tea.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tech-writer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/ux-designer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/frame-expert.agent.yaml`
### 6. Linting Fixes
**ESLint Compliance:**
- Replaced all `'utf-8'` with `'utf8'` (unicorn/text-encoding-identifier-case)
- Changed `variables.hasOwnProperty(varName)` to `Object.hasOwn(variables, varName)` (unicorn/prefer-object-has-own)
- Replaced `JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(...))` with `structuredClone(...)` (unicorn/prefer-structured-clone)
- Fixed empty YAML mapping values in sample files
**Files Fixed:**
- 7 JavaScript files across agent tooling (compiler, installer, commands, IDE integration)
- 1 YAML sample file
## Architecture Decisions
### Agent Types Are About Architecture, Not Capability
- **Simple:** Self-contained in single YAML (NOT limited in capability)
- **Expert:** Includes sidecar files (templates, docs, etc.)
- **Module:** Designed for BMAD ecosystem integration (workflows, cross-agent coordination)
### Persona Field Separation Critical for LLM Interpretation
The LLM needs distinct fields to understand its role:
- Mixing role/identity/principles into communication_style confuses the persona
- Pure communication styles (from communication-presets.csv) have ZERO role/identity/principles content
- Example DON'T: "Experienced analyst who uses systematic approaches..." (mixing identity + style)
- Example DO: "Systematic and probing. Structures findings hierarchically." (pure style)
### Install-Time vs Runtime Configuration
- Template variables ({{var}}) resolve at compile-time
- Runtime variables ({user_name}, {bmad_folder}) resolve when agent activates
- Future installer will handle personality customization, so agents should ship with single default persona
## Testing
- All linting passes (ESLint with max-warnings=0)
- Agent compilation tested with commit-poet, journal-keeper examples
- Install workflow validated with Simple and Expert agent types
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration verified
## Impact
This establishes BMAD as having a complete, production-ready agent creation and installation system with:
- Clear documentation for all agent types
- Automated compilation and installation
- Strong persona design guidance
- Reference implementations showing best practices
- Distinct, memorable agent voices throughout BMM module
Co-Authored-By: BMad Builder <builder@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Mary the Analyst <analyst@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Paige the Tech Writer <tech-writer@bmad.dev>
153 lines
4.5 KiB
JavaScript
153 lines
4.5 KiB
JavaScript
/**
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* Template Engine for BMAD Agent Install Configuration
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* Processes {{variable}}, {{#if}}, {{#unless}}, and {{/if}} blocks
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*/
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/**
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* Process all template syntax in a string
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* @param {string} content - Content with template syntax
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* @param {Object} variables - Key-value pairs from install_config answers
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* @returns {string} Processed content
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*/
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function processTemplate(content, variables = {}) {
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let result = content;
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// Process conditionals first (they may contain variables)
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result = processConditionals(result, variables);
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// Then process simple variable replacements
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result = processVariables(result, variables);
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// Clean up any empty lines left by removed conditionals
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result = cleanupEmptyLines(result);
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return result;
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}
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/**
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* Process {{#if}}, {{#unless}}, {{/if}}, {{/unless}} blocks
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*/
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function processConditionals(content, variables) {
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let result = content;
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// Process {{#if variable == "value"}} blocks
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// Handle both regular quotes and JSON-escaped quotes (\")
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const ifEqualsPattern = /\{\{#if\s+(\w+)\s*==\s*\\?"([^"\\]+)\\?"\s*\}\}([\s\S]*?)\{\{\/if\}\}/g;
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result = result.replaceAll(ifEqualsPattern, (match, varName, value, block) => {
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return variables[varName] === value ? block : '';
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});
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// Process {{#if variable}} blocks (boolean or truthy check)
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const ifBoolPattern = /\{\{#if\s+(\w+)\s*\}\}([\s\S]*?)\{\{\/if\}\}/g;
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result = result.replaceAll(ifBoolPattern, (match, varName, block) => {
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const val = variables[varName];
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// Treat as truthy: true, non-empty string, non-zero number
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const isTruthy = val === true || (typeof val === 'string' && val.length > 0) || (typeof val === 'number' && val !== 0);
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return isTruthy ? block : '';
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});
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// Process {{#unless variable}} blocks (inverse of if)
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const unlessPattern = /\{\{#unless\s+(\w+)\s*\}\}([\s\S]*?)\{\{\/unless\}\}/g;
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result = result.replaceAll(unlessPattern, (match, varName, block) => {
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const val = variables[varName];
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const isFalsy = val === false || val === '' || val === null || val === undefined || val === 0;
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return isFalsy ? block : '';
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});
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return result;
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}
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/**
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* Process {{variable}} replacements
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*/
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function processVariables(content, variables) {
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let result = content;
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// Replace {{variable}} with value
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const varPattern = /\{\{(\w+)\}\}/g;
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result = result.replaceAll(varPattern, (match, varName) => {
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if (Object.hasOwn(variables, varName)) {
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return String(variables[varName]);
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}
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// If variable not found, leave as-is (might be runtime variable like {user_name})
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return match;
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});
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return result;
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}
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/**
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* Clean up excessive empty lines left after removing conditional blocks
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*/
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function cleanupEmptyLines(content) {
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// Replace 3+ consecutive newlines with 2
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return content.replaceAll(/\n{3,}/g, '\n\n');
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}
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/**
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* Extract install_config from agent YAML object
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* @param {Object} agentYaml - Parsed agent YAML
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* @returns {Object|null} install_config section or null
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*/
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function extractInstallConfig(agentYaml) {
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return agentYaml?.agent?.install_config || null;
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}
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/**
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* Remove install_config from agent YAML (after processing)
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* @param {Object} agentYaml - Parsed agent YAML
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* @returns {Object} Agent YAML without install_config
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*/
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function stripInstallConfig(agentYaml) {
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const result = structuredClone(agentYaml);
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if (result.agent) {
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delete result.agent.install_config;
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}
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return result;
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}
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/**
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* Process entire agent YAML object with template variables
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* @param {Object} agentYaml - Parsed agent YAML
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* @param {Object} variables - Answers from install_config questions
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* @returns {Object} Processed agent YAML
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*/
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function processAgentYaml(agentYaml, variables) {
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// Convert to JSON string, process templates, parse back
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const jsonString = JSON.stringify(agentYaml, null, 2);
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const processed = processTemplate(jsonString, variables);
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return JSON.parse(processed);
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}
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/**
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* Get default values from install_config questions
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* @param {Object} installConfig - install_config section
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* @returns {Object} Default values keyed by variable name
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*/
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function getDefaultValues(installConfig) {
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const defaults = {};
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if (!installConfig?.questions) {
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return defaults;
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}
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for (const question of installConfig.questions) {
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if (question.var && question.default !== undefined) {
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defaults[question.var] = question.default;
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}
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}
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return defaults;
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}
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module.exports = {
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processTemplate,
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processConditionals,
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processVariables,
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extractInstallConfig,
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stripInstallConfig,
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processAgentYaml,
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getDefaultValues,
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cleanupEmptyLines,
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};
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